Brief overview of the movie 'Dear Frankie': Nineyearold Frankie, his Grandma and his single mum Lizzie have been on the move ever since Frankie can remember. Lizzie wants to protect her deaf son from the truth that they are running away from his abusive f

Author's
Note: I fell in love with 'Dear Frankie' in the theatre, and
again when the DVD was released. I just felt I needed to continue
this beautiful story. Property of Miramax films and writer Andrea
Gibb.

Brief
overview of the movie: Nine-year-old Frankie, his Grandma and his
single mum Lizzie have been on the move ever since Frankie can
remember. Lizzie wants to protect her deaf son from the truth that
they are running away from his abusive father. Lizzie has invented a
story that he is away at sea on the HMS ACCRA. Every few weeks,
Lizzie writes Frankie a make-believe letter from his father, telling
of his adventures at sea. As Frankie tracks the ship's progress
around the globe, he discovers that it is due to dock in his current
Scottish seaside hometown. With news that the real HMS ACCRA will be
arriving in just a few days, Lizzie must choose between telling
Frankie the truth, or finding the perfect stranger to play Frankie's
father for just one day. It becomes a major turning point in all of
their lives.

Chapter
One:

The
bus made its way on route to Howat Street. Lizzie could see the ocean
in the distance. She folded Frankie's letter and put it back in the
envelope. A smile exploded on her face, but then came the tears. They
fell silently down her pale face. She stared out the window. "How
did Frankie know?" she wondered. So many thoughts raced through her
mind like a kaleidoscope. She remembered how kind the Stranger was to
Frankie. They bonded just like a father and son would. It made her
heart sing to see Frankie smile. She thought back to the times that
she spent with the Stranger. Something in her came alive when they
were dancing. She felt as if she and the Stranger were the only ones
there in that dance hall. Everyone else faded away, like magic. She
thought about the kiss they shared in front of her flat. It was
devastatingly shocking to her closed off heart to feel his lips
against hers. A million sparks flew through again reminiscing that
kiss. Those two days with the Stranger brought so much happiness to
Frankie and Lizzie. One by one, the walls that she had placed around
her for so many years had started to come down. It felt so good to
feel again. She still couldn't believe he was Marie's brother.
Lizzie had felt her heart sink when she realized she could never have
anything with him. Now, after reading Frankie's letter, there was
an ocean of possibilities awaiting her. With Davey gone, no longer
searching for her and Frankie, she had a new life. Lizzie had a new
beginning, but this time she didn't have to move away. She never
had to run again.

The
bus stopped a block away from her flat. She didn't know what to do
first, go to Frankie, talk to Marie, or go lock herself in her room
and cry into her pillow. Her emotions were as mixed as her decisions.
She decided to go to Marie's since Frankie would probably still be
making his way home from school. Lizzie still didn't know what to
say to him. Marie was just the one to help her clear her thoughts. It
was after the lunch rush, and Marie would probably be cleaning up at
the chip shop. Lizzie clutched the envelope in her hand. She didn't
want to risk losing it.

The
bells jingled above the door as Lizzie opened it. It startled the
silence in the room. Marie looked up from the counter. She was busily
wiping down the fryer. There was a young couple holding each other
close in the corner, talking quietly.

"I
need to talk to you", Lizzie whispered to Marie.

"Sure,
let's go in the back", Marie could see Lizzie had been crying. .

They
walked towards the back room. Lizzie turned on the light. Marie
noticed the envelope in Lizzie's hand.

"Marie,
I have been such a fool." Lizzie's tears came back again, but
this time they were streaming down her face.

"What
has happened Lizzie? Are you sad about Davey?" Marie was really
concerned. She had never seen Lizzie show much emotion. She knew she
had been concealing her pain, but now it was coming to the surface.

"No,
I learned to deal with that heartache years ago. Read this". Lizzie
handed Marie the letter, now moist from being in her warm hand.

Marie
looked at the envelope. She thought maybe her brother wrote her after
all. Before he sailed two months ago, Marie had suggested he write
Lizzie, to keep in touch. He said that the façade had to end.
She knew he felt something for Lizzie. Marie was surprised to see
that the letter was from Frankie to Davey. She opened the damp
envelope.

Thanks
for the book. I've read it all the way through now, twice. I took
it into school. I know you won't mind. My teacher put it on the
nature table. Miss Mackenzie gave me a gold star. I've got 8 now.
Catriona's got 20. Ricky's only got 1, and it's not even gold.
Guess what? I got onto the football team, well the reserves. I'm
playing on Saturday. Any guess what else? I got 1 wrong in geography
this week. Ma and I had a bit of a shock last week. My Da, my real
Da, he's been sick. Ma never said anything, but I just knew. And
last week, he died. I think Ma's very sad inside, but Marie says
time's a great healer, and Ma's not to worry anymore cause she's
still got me. Anyway, I've got to go now, my tea's ready. I hope
it's not chips. I've had them 3 times this week. Maybe you'll
come and see us one more time, maybe the next time your ship docks.

Your
Friend,

Frankie

Marie
folded the letter carefully, she was in awe.

"I
am speechless Lizzie. I mean, I knew Frankie was a smart cookie, but
how could he have known? Do you think he heard me ask my brother
about the fags?"

"No,
the letter says he has known for a long time." Lizzie realized then
just how much Frankie loved her. She had always felt like she
disappointed him. In a way he was protecting her too.

They
heard the bells jingle on the shop door. Marie peeked out into the
store. The couple had just left. No one was left in the store.

"Lizzie,
let me close shop. Meet me at my place in thirty minutes?". Marie
walked to the door and turned the 'open' sign over to read
'closed'.

"Right,
I will let my mother know I am going to be out for a while". Lizzie
grabbed the letter from Marie. She didn't want to tell her mother
about it just yet. She had to know exactly what to do first.

The author would like to thank you for your continued support. Your review has been posted.